Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition: Axios Reception in Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday, June 14, Axios senior climate reporter Andrew Freedman led conversations at a lunchtime reception event in Washington, D.C. examining the next steps for progress toward U.S. clean energy goals. Guests included Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) and Hogan Lovells senior advisor & former FERC chair Neil Chatterjee. A View from the Top sponsored segment featured Southern Company president and CEO Chris Womack.

• Rep. Peters on NEPA reform to accelerate transmission projects: “Let's figure out a faster way to do it, let’s figure out a faster way to get that resolved. But we’ve got to get out of this mindset that the government is the enemy in this case, the enemy is time. And if we don’t make this faster, we are going to lose the climate battle, we are going to waste the money that’s in the bank. Whether you’re a climate advocate or just a taxpayer advocate, this process just takes too damn long.”
• Neil Chatterjee on the politicization of climate change and energy policy: “There was a time when climate change wasn’t political. I think it is a mistake that climate change has become politicized. And I sometimes get frustrated that this antiquated notion that if you’re for clean energy you’re of the political left, if you’re for fossil fuels you’re of the political right, that’s just an outdated mode of thinking, but it seems to be hardening.”
• Chris Womack on prioritizing affordability amidst the energy transition: “When you look at that kind of volatility, and what that has done to energy bills, it put a lot of pressure on a lot of our customers. Affordability is a real issue. So as we make this orderly transition…it’s principal to make sure that we go through this transition in an orderly fashion that takes into consideration the needs of the environment, the needs of our customers, and the needs of the company as we go forward.”

Thank you to Southern Company for sponsoring this event.